There was a time I listened to rap for the clever wordplays and witty puns. Soon, you learn that the art of words—and, indeed, their sounds—is beyond the accoutrements of wit and clever stringing. It is a real, and often valuable means of changing the world, painting the world, and weaving the world in a way only you, the artist, can.

Clever puns and witty lines are essential to the art, but is that all you wish to be remembered for?

Like Ladipo once rapped:

/“…let’s throw lifelines, not punchlines”./

Even that in itself is a heavily laced punchline served on a double, (and possibly triple) entendre!

I think more artists should watch the classic legends perform. Whether James Brown dancing on stage, or Osadebe playing the guitar, or Ella Fitzgerald singing.

Doesn’t matter if you rap, write, sing or produce. There is a lesson for you there. Art should be yours and yours alone. It must come from your soul; untainted by filters or ego. Pure art is difficult to fake. We will never have another Achebe, or another Chimamanda. Even she couldn’t make another ‘Purple Hibiscus’ however hard she tried.

Such is how true art exists. True art is limited edition, vintage and 1-of-1. Yet you have writers who want to write like Achebe and rappers that want to rap like Kendrick. Singers that copy the style of Fela. Producers who try to duplicate Kanye and dancers who think they’re Ciara.

And yes, darling, there is a very fine line between influence and mimicry.

Art rewards the original.

To all the artists—both listening and performing: elevate.

Love. ❤️